ON QUALITY OF SOIL, 



97 



ving woods of it occur on the east coast of Scotland. 

 Mountainous regions are its most favourite situa- 

 tions, and in these it will thrive at a greater eleva- 

 tion than any other species of timber, with the ex- 

 ception of the mountain-ash and the birch. On a 

 deep rich soil it grows very fast, attains a large size, 

 and soon decays. In these circumstances its wood 

 is spongy, and of inferior value. But, on such land, 

 it is not eligible to plant the Scots fir, whatever 

 were the quality of its timber, as there are other 

 kinds of trees which will bring higher profits to the 

 proprietor. The most important precept that can 

 be delivered with regard to this tree, is never to 

 plant it either in ivet or in very stiff land. Who- 

 ever wishes to see it in its highest perfection, and to 

 acquire a knowledge of the soil and situation in 

 which it delights, from personal observation, ought 

 to visit the forests of Deeside. 



Next to the Scots fir, the forest tree most univer- 

 sally cultivated is the Larch. This is also a very 

 hardy plant, and it is sure to thrive on any land 

 that will answer for the Scots fir. It is, however, 

 less delicate in its choice of soil than the latter,^ and 

 will grow in a much greater degree of moisture. I 

 have seen fine larch trees on very stiff land, and I 

 understand there are many such in the neighbour- 



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